I had engaged a few renovation vendors for my new house renovation, and upon checking their pricing, their price is like 30% higher compared to if I split the renovation and obtained it each part from a different vendor.

i love to get one vendor to take care of the whole renovation as it is easier from my end. shouldn't the vendor also quote fairly as they are also getting all the business?

vendor management is a job too and need salary

vendor management, and you can quote 30% higher for each item. If my renovation cost is RM200K, they are getting 60K as the charges for vendor management. sorry, I am not that rich; I can manage it myself. you are risking not getting anything when you have the opportunity to manage the whole renovation.

Then what stopping you?
What I did previously for my condo, I hired an ID firm that design the overall and supervise the construction. But I also sourced for Ikea kitchen and their installer, SPC flooring with the installer, windows and sliding door with their installer, kitchen hob/hood with their installer. Coz if issue arised later with those stuff, I can directly goes to the individual source, rather than talking to the ID firm, easier for both of us. Also, I goes for loose item/furniture and minimize carpentry works as much as possible. So mostly kinda 'plug and play'.
So my main reason to hire an ID firm is for the design, prepare measurement and the needed finishing for the other installer to work on, and to supervise all the work.

Depends on the size of your budget and the qualification of the main con (supplier). Three years ago, I gave the entire contract to one main contractor. I knew he marked up between 10% to 20% on the electrical, plumbing, ceiling, metal work, and etc. Then, I was naive enough he will manage everything for me. The result was horrified. So, if you really want to pay project management fees or vendor management fees, pay to your ID or architect. Don't pay to one vendor who will then subcontract works to others.

For me, towards latest phrase, I cancelled part of the contract and took over by myself. I split awning, handrail, staircases, aluminium ceiling, plaster ceiling and tile installation to six vendors and I do the project management. I saved quite a substantial amount. But, this takes up a lot of my time.

Nothing stopping me. Just want to express my disappointment of what is happening as I only receiving quotations from the vendor recently...

if you have the time to oversee your renovation then go for separate vendors.


you also have to make sure the vendors work on their stuff without disturbing other vendor works. my friend always get a call from the vendor complaining the other vendor interfering their works and nearly lead to a fight lol

Depends... there are ethical ID out there who are willing to charge fairly and not trying to take advantage of their customers..

There are some who are literally just exist to indirectly scam the people.....

I've seen some quotations going as high as DOUBLE of what it would cost if you get the right ID to do the job..... literally the same scenario as you hiring a ID who ran away with 100% of your money the first time and you have to hire another to do the job...



You just have to be smart and get a few quotes from different ID or Vendors....


Look out for obvious overcharge items...


Electrical works - Just remember they will provide you the cheapest possible items... especially when they say "OEM"... which technically means cheapest China brand lights or fans or fittings they can find on Lazada....

Loose Item - You can just search online if they give you the item detail but I come across some ID refuses to give you the details until you start work... kept giving nonsense like they can only give you more info after the deposit... which is BULLSHIT... cause after they've taken your deposit... you are very likely to just go with them or if not they don't need to do shit and still get the high deposit amount....

Custom Made - This is the hardest to compare cause quality can vary but you can tell if the ID is trying to treat you as water fish if everything else doesn't add up.... I would suggest also get other ID to quote the same spec and compare even if the comparison is not 100% the same...

ID supposed to help you save a bit more because they have the connections and suppliers to give them bulk discount... those who charge you sky high prices for what you can get yourself are normally scammers...


Frankly speaking... don't give them ANY MONEY at all but instead make force them give you the full details so that you can compare and do your research to see whether they are trying to scam you or not before you commit to the ID...

Lastly... any ID that ask for 50% or more downpayment are insincere aresehole ... testing out whether you would just blindly pay whatever they ask you to pay ... even if they are willing to revise the terms after you've questioned them... JUST TELL THESE FUCKERS to FUCK OFF... and cut ties with them entirely....because they already have the intention in mind to treat you like a water fish...


Other obvious things to lookout for is if the ID constantly make mistakes or don't really take into heart what you've told them.... if you say you want to do this and that but quotations doesn't reflect any of it... clearly these fuckers aren't taking the job seriously and just trying to make a quick buck from inexperienced customers....

This post has been edited by holypredator: Feb 9 2023, 05:45 PM

You will have to pay a bit more when you call ID to do everything compared to you sourcing the items yourself and do parts of the work yourself...

However... I've seen some ID who are really out to scam people... hoping to get customers who will blindly trust them...

Literally earning more than 100% of the actual project price...


Since it is an industry that is not regulated.... and it is a difficult learning curve for customers who are not familiar with renovation works.... it is literally a scam heaven for insincere ID...

This post has been edited by holypredator: Feb 9 2023, 05:40 PM

People keep saying have to pay a bit more but on other hand they are getting more business and already have a huge profit as is the single vendor for the whole renovation.

This is encouring more and more people to split out the part and they end up not getting anything

I know some ID will charge minimal or not at all on top of the original fees for wiring works because they want to keep the cost low for the customers... basically those genuine ID with reputation to keep and would rather provide the best service than to rely on customers' ignorance...

However... most will charge a decent margin... for example if installation of basic lighting cost RM35 per light on bulk (labour and supply) in klang valey at 2022 ... they will charge like RM40-45.... it's still a lot considering they do nothing and just gave business to their contacts....

The problem is I've seen farkers who charger RM50-60.... bloody hell just basic ceiling lights installation... they want to earn each and every single one of the lights... imagine just installing 10 lights simple lights... already pocket RM200 for doing nothing....

Most ID would even get lower rate than the standard RM25 cause it is their own contact.... but if you hear an ID says like they have to own self source the wiring man... screw them... they must be newbie in the industry who didn't even have their own contacts/vendors... moreover... they also can get the light supply cheaper cause it is on bulk and they normally have a frequent supplier.... even if they don't.... purchase bulk in Lazada also got bulk discount la...




Bottom line is.... you don't really need ID.... it is not worth it unless you really trust that person as in they were someone you know or a company with very good reputation....

Don't trust those reviews on google or recommended..... Murasaki got high ratings but also turn out to be a scam from the get go.... these ID would just ask their family members or friends or even ownself create accounts to give themselves 5 stars..


Otherwise be prepared to get cheated if you don't spend your time researching and comparing... which end up you might as well just search for individual vendors yourself...

This post has been edited by holypredator: Feb 9 2023, 08:09 PM

There are a few good reasons why some people engage a main contractor rather than sub contracting individual work themselves. It costs more, but for good reasons.

Imagine an AC with water pipe running to next door toilet drain, with a route under the floor tile. Say got leaking and suspect from cracked pipe. Want to re-hack, re-do piping, re-screed, re-waterproof and finally re-tile. If one maincon, he will be liable for the whole thing. If different subcons you self engaged, good luck to find one that will own up.